Making connections and finding mentors are two of the keys to entrepreneurial success. With its move to FIU Downtown at Brickell, the College of Business’ Pino Global Entrepreneurship Center is helping aspiring entrepreneurs do both.

This fall’s Miami Open Coffee Club Series, created by the Pino Center, brings 30-40 entrepreneurs, students, alumni and business leaders together for coffee and connections in locations throughout Miami-Dade’s business corridor. Each of the sessions, which are co-sponsored by MapYourStartup.co, features two to three experienced mentors who offer advice, free of charge.

The next session, Thursday, Oct. 24, 7:30 – 9 a.m., promises to be another success. Held at The Miami Entrepreneurship Center, a collaborative non-profit business incubator /co-working space for startups, the session will feature Peter Kellner, co-founder of Endeavor, a pioneering organization promoting entrepreneurship in emerging markets, and Melissa Krinzman, founder and managing director of Venture Architects, who has a 20-year history of starting, growing and advising private companies and non-profit organizations.

“We are thrilled that these two venture experts are joining forces with our growing community of organizations and centers that have the same mission that we do: aiding start-ups and entrepreneurs build successful businesses,” said Lauren Suarez-Diaz, assistant director of the Pino Center.

“Melissa has been a long-time supporter of the center, leading workshops and webinars. Peter is well-known in the world of entrepreneurship, and has founded his own company as well as Endeavor, one of the world’s most respected startup advisors. We are also grateful for the participation of Maurice Lopes and the help of the Miami Entrepreneurship Center,” Suarez-Diaz said.” I hope that FIU’s entrepreneurial community takes this opportunity to tap into the knowledge of our guest mentors.”

Admission to the Coffee Club is free with a nominal charge for parking at some of the venue locations.

The address of The Miami Entrepreneurship Center is 261 NE 1st 33132. For more information, or to register visit entrepreneurship.fiu.edu or call 305-779-9230.

– Ellen Forman

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